Google Maps adds a wheelchair icon to spotlight accessible entrances, why remote work doesn’t solve the challenges faced by workers who are family caregivers, an intriguing autism study on early intervention, and more news for the week ending May 27, 2023.
Spotlight
For Caregivers, Remote Work Is Good but Still Not Enough A good look at a profound problem: “About one-fifth of U.S. workers are family caregivers and nearly one-third have quit a job because of their caregiving responsibilities. While remote work offers more flexibility, it’s no substitute for long-term care policy solutions.” (governing.com)
Tech News
Google Displaying Accessibility Information More Prominently The technology giant has updated Google Maps to display a wheelchair icon by default on a location’s entry if the place has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. (Disabilityscoop.com)
State News
Idaho will pay $1.2M and let disability rights group monitor care at state-run facility The agreement ends four years of litigation between the state and six families of vulnerable Idahoans who were abused, neglected or died at the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center in Nampa. (idahocapitalsun.com)
Oklahomans with disabilities face long waitlists for home and community-based services It’s a familiar story: More than half a million Americans are on waiting lists to receive long-term care in their homes. (pbs.org)
Former Castle Rock hotel eyed as housing facility for people with intellectual, developmental disabilities In repurposing a former La Quinta Inn, this Colorado town is taking an interesting approach to housing. (Denver7.com)
Federal, state law permit disability discrimination in Wisconsin voucher schools Private schools participating in any of the state’s four voucher programs may legally expel students with disabilities if staff determines they cannot accommodate their needs with minor adjustments or deem their behavior too disruptive. (wisconsinwatch.org)
Misc.
Advocates Call On FDA To Reissue Ban On Shock Devices For Those With Disabilities More than 100 disability advocacy groups have written to the Food and Drug Administration to ask that a new regulation be issued to bar electrical stimulation devices. (DisabilityScoop)
Closing the Opportunity Gap for Young Children A new report recommends federal, state, and community-level policy changes to reduce opportunity gaps and resulting achievement gaps for young children across the U.S., including equitable access to services for children with disabilities. (nap.nationalacademies.org)
NIH Urged to Improve Health Outcomes for People With Disabilities Researchers at the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University are calling on the National Institutes of Health to take “bold steps” to overcome the grave health disparities faced by people with disabilities. (newsroom.uvahealth.com)
Autism intervention before age 2 may aid social, language skills Autistic toddlers who receive a personalized intervention at about 18 months of age show greater gains in expressive language, social communication and daily living skills than do autistic children who start the therapy at 27 months, according to a new study. (spectrumnews.org)
What Does Disability Support Look Like in College? A look at the differences between the support a student who is neurodiverse and/or has learning differences (LDs) receives in high school versus what most postsecondary programs provide. (Pscyhologytoday.com)
